[stephendause]

My coworker has a similar setup and loves it. Personally, it feels diametrically opposed to the way that I like to use my keyboard. I don't even like holding Shift to type `{`, `_`, etc when programming. I wish I had dedicated keys for those and other common symbols. I don't mind moving my hands a few inches at all, but for some reason, it feels cumbersome to me to hold down a key to activate another layer. To each their own, of course.

[theroncross]

There's a non-obvious, but significant, difference between holding with a thumb in a neutral position and holding with a pinky in a stretched position. Layers become effortless on a keyboard like this.

[Hojojo]

I have my layer switch key configured to require only a button press, then the next key I type will be from that layer. So I don't have to hold it down. It's so much more comfortable to use special symbols this way. I've also done this for my shift key.

[_def]

I guess that's why the thumbs get used here to activate the other layers. I have to try it, but thinking about it it seems way more ergonomic compared to the usual position of the shift key

[Hojojo]

This is definitely the case. Since the layer key is at the thumb, it doesn't require moving your hand and you barely need to move your thumb. As somebody who suffers from wrist pain, this makes a huge difference.

[layer8]

Unfortunately I developed beginning arthrosis in my thumbs, so pressing space is about the most I can subject them to.

[linsomniac]

Foot pedals?

[layer8]

Those are slower than fingers and can’t be used as fluidly, in particular when using them as modifiers for keys typed with the fingers with normal typing speed.

[Jeff_Brown]

Drummers do it. It takes some training because the nerve to your foot is longer than the one to your hand, but with good audible feedback it can be done. (If your feet are a meter farther from your ears then the sound from them takes 3 ms longer to be heard. Nobody types that fast but I'd you wanted a truer signal you could generate one in software.)

[James_K]

What actually has way more of an impact that that is having the home-row keys set to the modifiers. The best part is that it works even with regular keyboard, you just need to have some kind of hot-key tool running on your computer.

[lawn]

I suggest you look into combos (press multiple keys as an extra key).

For example, I don't hold to type either { or _ or any symbol (O can hold of I type multiple symbols in a row though).

https://www.jonashietala.se/blog/2024/11/26/the_current_cybe...

[layer8]

I agree. I also developed serious RSI from overuse of modifiers and cords. Not everyone’s RSI is the same, but just as a caveat.